Staden Iquitos är förmodligen en ö (särskilt under regnperioden), bunden på tre sidor av massiva floder. I nordost ligger den mäktiga Amazonas, tillgänglig med Puerto Masusa. Stadens nordvästra gräns smälts av den kurviga banan av den långsamma och slingrande Rio Nanay. Slutligen bildar Rio Itaya den östra gränsen till staden, med den mest bekväma båtåtkomst.
De flesta av stadens största attraktioner ligger inom några kvarter från floden, hem till den populära Tarapaca River Walk. Området Belen, strax söder om stadens centrum, flyter berömt precis ovanför Itaya. Medan Plaza de las Armas och de flesta av stadens viktigaste byggnader ligger ett kvarter inåt landet, har flera hotell, restauranger, barer och fina gamla byggnader, som Museo Etnografico och Gobernacion Regional, utsikt över vattnet.
Det är lätt att hyra båtar - från motoriserade kanoter till mycket större flodbåtar - för att utforska Itaya och dess urbana vallar. Eller beställ helt enkelt en lokalt bryggt Iquitena-öl på en av restaurangerna med utsikt över Itayas vidsträcka och njut av brisen.
Home to the popular Tarapaca River Walk in Iquitos, the Itaya River leads to the famous floating neighborhood of Belén. Along the water you’ll find a smattering of hotels, restaurants, bars and distinctive old buildings such as the Museo Etnográfico and the Gobernacion Regional. One block inland, you’ll find Plaza de las Armas and the Gustave Eiffel-designed Case de Fierro landmark.
From here, it’s easy to hire water transportation—from motorized canoes to much bigger riverboats—to explore the Itaya and its urban embankments. Or, simply order a locally brewed Iquitena beer at one of the restaurants overlooking the Itaya’s expanse and enjoy the breeze.
Itaya River is located in the northern Peruvian Amazon in the Loreto region and forms the eastern border of Iquitos, the gateway into the jungle. To reach Iquitos, you must fly into the city or go up river for a multi-day excursion. There are no roads leading into the city.
Itaya River is a year-round destination, with the most important variable being the rains. The rainy season goes from December to May, and during this time the rivers are at their highest, however, this is the best time to observe the incredible wildlife. The dry season runs from June to November, and has fewer rains and mosquitoes. Some of the smaller rivers may be more difficult to navigate, making it a more favorable time for trekking.
Nearly the size of Germany, Iquitos is Peru's largest jungle city and since it’s surrounded by waterways, it feels like an island with a unique tropical ambiance, akin to a steamy Southeast Asian jungle town. Founded in 1754 by Jesuit missionaries, the city was taken over by money-hungry rubber barons who grandiose mansions along the river. And while oil and logging have taken over, the city survives on tourism.